NAZI CLAIM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 7

NAZI CLAIM

DISCREDITING HESS. (Bee. 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Alay 13. The Berlin correspondent of the United Press of America says that an authorised Nazi spokesman’s version indicates that the Germans are doing their utmost to discredit Hess, discounting tlie flight as laughable and one of defeatism, because it was taken at the time of great German victories. The Nazis claim that if Hess were normal he would have gone to Sweden or some more accessible spot. The spokesman added that Goering was made Hitler’s first heir because Hess wa.s generally of a retiring nature and in a certain sense a singular man.

Hess’s family were as surprised as anyone else, tlie spokesman said. Additional communiques could lie expected because the Hess matter was not closed. The Nazis refuse to disclose the wording ol Herr Hess’s letter.

Augsburg is only 60 miles inside Germany proper from Austria. The distance from Glasgow to the ncai-ost part of Germany proper is about 490 miles and to the nearest part of Norway about 410 miles.

Augsburg is the chief town of the district of Swabia in Bavaria. It lies on a plateau 1500 ft above the sea between the rivers AVcrtack and Leek, which unite below the city. It is the chief scat of the textile industry in South Germany, produces woollen, linen, and cotton goods, and has bleaching and dye works. Its production of agricultural and industrial machinery and its chemical works are important. Afu.nich, the birthplace of the Nazi Party, is not far distant.